Key questions and trainer views as Elarqam bids to get career back on track

bet365 Earl Of Sefton Stakes | Group 3 | 1m1f | 4yo+ | RTV

Can Elarqam bounce back?

This time last season Elarqam was a live contender for the 2,000 Guineas, and he delivered a fine performance when finishing two and a quarter lengths adrift of Saxon Warrior in fourth.

But from that point the wheels came off the son of Frankel's Classic campaign, as he was a beaten favourite on his next three outings, the last of which came in the Group 3 Sovereign Stakes at Salisbury.

Connections are hopeful the combination of wind surgery and a layoff can help Elarqam can return to level he showed at two and in the 2,000 Guineas.

Angus Gold, racing manager to owner Hamdan Al Maktoum, said: "Everything went wrong for him last year from the Irish Guineas onwards, so we pulled up stumps, touched up his wind and gave him a long break and now we are happy with him.

"He had a hairline fracture of his pelvis and you can never be sure how these things have healed but his last pelvic scan, in December, was very good.

"Everything is a question mark for him, we just need to see him back as last year went downhill and we know he is better than that. Only time will tell his best trip – he is by a Guineas winner out of a Guineas winner so he could turn out to be a miler, though he could also want further."

Will Mustashry resume his progress?

Sir Michael Stoute is adept at getting older horses to go from strength to strength, and Mustashry looks another candidate to be better as he ages.

Mustashry (right) beats Zabeel Prince (left) in the Joel StakesCredit: Alan Crowhurst (Getty Images)

Now six, Mustashry won three times last season, including the Group 2 Joel Stakes on the Rowley Mile in September. That victory means he must concede 5lb to the field, but he could be up to the task.

Like Elarqam, Mustashry is owned by Hamdan Al Maktoum, and racing manager Gold added: "He is a very solid performer who has been a great servant to us and hopefully he will go on again this year.

"I don’t think the penalty will be what beats him but I’m not saying that either he or Elarqam are going to win it either. It’s a long year and it’s a good starting off point for them."

Can Appleby strike with one of his trio?

Charlie Appleby is not short of firepower for the race, as he is responsible for three of the 11 declarations.

All three spent the winter in Dubai and judged on their Meydan form, First Contact appears the leading contender having finished third in the Group 1 Jebel Hatta.

Appleby said: "First Contact ran well to finish third in the Jebel Hatta and comes into this race fit and well. If he can reproduce that performance, it will give him a good chance.

"First Nation did well out in Dubai, winning a decent handicap and finishing third in the Dubai Millennium Stakes, which wasn’t run to suit him. He is closely matched with First Contact on ratings, and also might have a fitness advantage over some of his rivals.

"Vintager only had the one start out in Dubai and the way the Dubai Millennium Stakes was run didn't play to his strengths either. He showed some good form last year and should also have a live chance based on the pick of those efforts."

Forest Ranger (right) won the Earl of Sefton last seasonCredit: Edward Whitaker

Can Forest Ranger land the spoils again?

Forest Ranger enjoyed his trips to the track last year, winning this race before returning in October and going down narrowly in the Group 3 Darley Stakes.

Conditions look set to suit the five-year-old again, and trainer Richard Fahey said: "It looks a warm race. We're happy with him and he has good course form but it will take a bit of winning."

What they say

Jane Chapple-Hyam, trainer of Circus Couture
He's had two runs this season which he really needed. He's a big, gross horse and needed a couple of runs last year to really put him right. Hopefully he can pick up some placed prize-money.

Harry Dunlop, trainer of Robin Of Navan
He got pretty tired on the surface in the Magnolia last time. It's a pretty tough race, he's finished fourth in it before and hopefully this will set him up for some trips to France and Italy later in the season.

Roger Varian, trainer of Zabeel Prince
I'm happy with him and he's in good form. He can go well fresh and while this is his first time over this distance, I think he will get the nine furlongs.

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